Windmill Decision Delayed Again

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Story Published: Jun 2, 2008 at 6:06 PM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 10:02 PM MDT

By Anthony Congi

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It was supposed to be the meeting to end all meetings in the controversial proposed Ridgeline Energy wind farm. But once again, the Bingham County Commissioners brought their meeting to a very anti-climactic end without a decision.
It was brought to the commissioners attention that the newest member of Bingham County's planning and zoning commission, Larry Kohler, had owned property near the proposed site in Wolverine Canyon.
The county commissioners decided that his vote was a potential conflict of interest. Kohler previously voted in favor of the proposed Ridgeline site. This further delay is a cause of concern for the commissioners, but the chairman says it's mandatory.
Wayne Brower, Commissioner Chairman: "It is frustrating because we fully thought from the last meeting that we could review the facts that we had, come to a decision when we met today. But if we follow the law, once we got the information, it's our responsibility to make sure due process is completed."
After it was brought up to the county commissioners, Kohler was upfront about owning his land. Ridgeline Energy remains confident their site will be passed and say even though it slows the process, they don't blame Kohler.
Rich Rayhill, Vice Pres. Ridgeline Energy: "Nobody was trying to hide anything on this deal so we feel that its going to go back, it'll just be a matter of looking through it and no one's going to be pointing fingers at Mr. Kohler and thinking he did anything wrong. Certainly we do not."
Planning and zoning will not be meeting about this latest development until July 9th.
It will be considered a public hearing and they will allow comments from the audience, but only in terms of the latest potential conflict of interest.

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